2009-09-18
Samuda Stresses Quality Standard In Manufacturing
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has stressed the importance of adhering to the highest standards of quality in the manufacture of Jamaican products.
Mr. Samuda made the comment on September 11, while on a tour of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation’s (JBDC) Garmex Complex and Incubator Resource Centre, located on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, which was opened about a year ago.
Mr. Samuda used the tour to update himself on the operations of the centre and to offer advice on how some areas could be improved.
He said that while many of the products, especially clothing, were unique and well designed there needed to be more attention to detail. He stressed that “the detail is what makes the difference in the purchaser from overseas buying or rejecting a product.”
He urged the staff to ensure that all the entrepreneurs, who are accessing services through the JBDC, adopt a “culture of perfection.”
“What we need to do to take advantage of our position now is to ensure that the quality is at a standard that satisfies international requirements. Not simply to say that because it’s catering initially to the domestic market and domestic consumers that it’s okay and it will pass; it won’t pass,” he stated.
However, Mr. Samuda said he was very impressed with the JBDC facility, which features a business incubator for small entrepreneurs just starting out; training rooms for fashion design, craft and other business-related training; a quality management, packaging and business management section; and a Things Jamaican shop.
He said the Centre provides an opportunity to combine labour, design and construction, which means that the value-added earnings that can be achieved are far more meaningful. He said the facility also demonstrates the JBDC’s commitment to the development of small entrepreneurs.
“I think this must be easily the finest of its kind in the Caribbean…because it offers all the facilities to open up the doors of opportunity for those that have the talent but don’t have the opportunity to express the talent and, in a limited way, we have given those opportunities to those players,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Minister said plans to bring all the JBDC facilities under one roof at its headquarters on Camp Road may have to be scrapped, as he said, disturbing the foundation that has already been laid at the Garmex facility would not be beneficial.
He advised the JBDC to find other income generating uses for the extra space that has become available at the Corporation’s headquarters, instead of relocating the incubator facility.